Apparatus for continuously bending and flexing strip material

ABSTRACT

For cold-working metal strip material, suitably spaced bending and flexing rollers are provided and which are journaled for rotation in end members that form part of a drum type of support. The said support is in turn mounted for rotation since the end members are each rotatably supported in the frame structure of the machine. Thus the rotative positioning of the drum support will produce various degrees of bending of the strip material as it passes over the rollers which rotate simultaneously and at the same speed for the said purpose.

lilriitedl [1s] Sim-sate? Wiig I Fel a. 2.71, 11972 [54] APPARATUS lFlUllii ECUNTMWUUUSLW 1,051,063 1/1913 Bceman et al.. .....72/164 BEMDHNG um FLEEXHMG MUM}? 2,590,628 3/1952 Lessmann ..72/16O M 3,289,448 12 1966 Wiig .72/164 X MATIERHAL 2,504,292 4/1950 Anderson .....72/164 [72] inventor: Chester M. Whig, Lincolnwood, 1111. 3,256,725 6/1966 Keller ..72/164 [73] Assignee: ,ll. lLittell Machine Company, Chicago, Primmy Examiner Mi1tOn S Mehr Attorney lRussell H. Clark [22] Filed: lien. 29, 11970 [21] Appl. No.: 6,041

For cold-worlring metal strip material, suitably spaced bending and flexing rollers are provided and which are journaled [52] US. Cl .72/11641 for rotation in end members that form part of a drum type of [51] llnt. C1, Jmm 11/4122 support. The said support is in turn mounted for rotation since 58] Field @lifitmmllt ..72/l60-l65, 205 the e members are each rotate-My supported in the frame structure of the machine. Thus the rotative positioning of the [56] m m mm drum support will produce various degrees of bending of the strip material as it passes over the rollers which rotate simul- UNlTED STATES, PATIEINITS taneously and at the same speed for the said purpose.

2,517,309 8/1950 Heller ..72/l62 110 tCllaintls, 0 Drawing Figures M1 FEB 2 2 W2 PME SHEU 1 M Q PAIENIEmEa 22 m2 SHEET 8 BF a THREAD UP The invention relates to the bending and flexing of metal to render the same more pliable and workable and has reference in particular to apparatus for continuously bending and flexing strip material.

It is well known that the cold-working of mild steel will improve the drawing and forming qualities of the same by rendering the steel more pliable and accordingly it can be worked more easily. The invention has for its main objective the provision of novel apparatus for bending and flexing a length of metal material such as coiled stock and which will essentially consist of a pair of rolls journaled for rotation and supported for bodily movement as a unit around a center driving axis located equidistant between and extending parallel to the length of the rolls. The bending and flexing rolls are rotated during operation of the apparatus and the rolls are an gularly adjustable about the center driving axis to an extent which does not exceed 180". The extent of the bodily adjustment of the rolls from an initial threading position to an operative position determines the degree of bending to which the strip material may be subjected.

In view of the foregoing another object of the invention is to provide a drum type of support forjournaling the bending and flexing rolls, the support providing spaced end members and wherein the said members are supported by the housing of the apparatus for rotative adjustment. The drive for rotating the rolls is on the center axis of the drum support and the drive for adjusting the rotative position of the spaced end members as a unit takes place through a worm gear, whereby the drum support is effectively locked and held in an operative position and in a manner to resist the forces to which the same is subjected when the rolls are preforming a bending and flexing operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for cold-working metal stock material by means of bending and flexing rolls which are journaled at their respective ends in spaced end members and wherein the rolls are backed by backing-up rolls supported by truss beams which extend from one end member to another and join the end members so as to form the drum type of support.

A more specific object is to provide a drum type of support for the rotatable bending and flexing rolls and wherein the gears of the drive for rotating said rolls are sealed in oil for permanent lubrication.

Another and more specific object of the invention resides in the provision of stop lugs on the spaced end members of the support drum for coaction with a limit switch so that the rotative adjustment of the support drum is limited in each direction of rotation but wherein the drum can be reversed so that the extent of rotative adjustment of the drum will be confined to the segment gears fixed to the end members respectively and which are driven for effecting said rotative movement of the drum support.

With these and various other objects in view the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation as will be more fully described and pointed out in the specification, and drawings and the claims.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts:

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view, parts being shown in elevation, taken substantially on a vertical line through the central drive axis of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely of the apparatus substantially on line 2-2 of FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely of the apparatus substantially on line 33 of FIG. l;

FIG. Al is a longitudinal view, parts being shown in elevation and also in section, of a truss frame member which carries the rolls for backing up the bending and flexing rolls;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the diagram plate for showing the rotative position of the rolls during operation;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are views which diagrammatically illustrate the bending and flexing action of the rolls of the present apparatus.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. ll, 2 and 3, the numeral ll) indicates the housing of the present apparatus and which includes the bottom frame member l2, the top frame member 13 and side frames lld and 15. Within the housing and relatively adjacent the sidewalls l4- and 115, there is provided partition walls lo and l7 respectively, FIG. ll, each of which have a large opening therein for receiving and journaling the end members of the drum support to be more particularly described. Additional frame elements 118 and 2t extend above the top member 13 and these form gearboxes with the side frames Ml and for housing the gear of the drive to the drum support. The various frame members and partition walls are reinforced by corner plates 21 as best shown in FIG. 2, and screws such 22 are employed in securing the top and bottom members to the side frames although these and other parts may be welded to each other.

The frame structure of the apparatus has been designed and is primarily adapted to support and journal the end members 24 and 25 of the drum type of support which carries the bending and flexing rolls 27 and 2d all as evident from FIG. l. The end member 2d is located in the partition wall lid and the end member consists of an annular body portion with a peripheral flange Bill to which is secured the segment gear ill by the screws 32. The end member 25 is similar since a segment gear 33 is likewise secured to its peripheral flange Ell by the screws 32. The end members are adapted to rotate within the partition walls and to maintain their bearing surfaces lubricated the partition walls may have oil passages such as M formed therein. The top roll 27 is reduced at its ends for receiving the bearings 35 located in openings in the end members 24' and 25 respectively. Also for the lower roll 28, the bearings 261 journal the said roll in the end members 24 and 25 in the same manner.

It has been explained that the end members 2 3 and 25 are joined or connected by a pair of truss members, FlGS. l and t, generally indicated by the numeral 37 for the top roll 27 and 38 for the bottom roll 28. Each truss frame is suitably anchored at Ml, FIG. 4i, to the end members and they extend between and connect the end members so as to form the drum type of support and which journals the bending and flexing rolls 27 and 28 for rotation. Each truss frame includes a bottom strut 41, a top strut 42, sloping struts l3 and end plates M and 45. The struts are preferably welded to form the truss frame and atfiltl it will be observed that the end plates and 45 are respectively keyed to the end members of the drum support. The truss frames thus provide a drum support which is unitary, strong and rugged and as shown in FIG. 2, the pair of truss frames are approximately diametrically opposed. However one truss frame is directed in line with the top roll 27 and the other truss frame is directed in line with the bottom roll 28.

Since the rolls 27 and 2b are subjected to enormous forces during a bending operation on the stock material. it is necessary to back up the rolls and transmit some of the stresses to the truss frames. This is accomplished by using backup rolls such as disclosed and claimed in my US. Pat. No. 3,289,448 granted Dec. 6, 1966 and entitled Backup Means for Straightening Rolls." Each truss frame may carry four backing-up roll units. The trunnion rod an of each unit extends from the top strut 412 to and beyond the bottom strut All and the trunnion rod has a ball-shaped. formation at its projecting lower end as at 47. The trunnion rod is threaded at lfl to the top strut and is freely rotatable in the bottom strut ll. The squared end 50 of each trunnion rod provides for the use of a tool for rotating the rod for precise adjustment. The plates 511 are disposed on each side of each trunnion rod and they connect the bottom and top struts for absorbing and transmitting to the truss frame some of the compressive forces applied to the trunnion rods.

The depending-ball shaped end 47 of each trunnion rod is in contact with a carriage 52 which is thus universally pivotal on the rod since the end 47 seats in a recess formed in the carriage and which is also ball shaped. Each carriage journals a pair of stud shafts to which are fixed a pair of backing-up rolls 53 and 54 respectively. One pair of rolls such as 53 will be disposed on one side of the roll either 27 or and the pair of rolls 54 will be disposed on the opposite side, with the rolls of both pairs having contact with their respective bending and flexing roll. The backing-up roll units are thus able to counter any deflection which otherwise might tend to take place in the bending and flexing rolls. Further in order to additionally strengthen the truss frames 37 and 38 to prevent any deflection of either the bending and flexing rolls or the truss frames, the same include longitudinal slide plates 55 and 56 FIG. 3, and which are suitably welded to the top and bottom struts of the frames respectively.

The drive to the drum type of support is applied to both gear segments 31 and 33 and the same include a worm gear for effectively locking the said drum support in a selected rotative position for accomplishing the desired bending and flexing of the stock material. See FIGS. 6, 7 and 8. The electric motor for the drive is indicated by the numeral 58. The coupling 60 connects the motor 58 to a gear reducer 61 which includes a worm gear and through which the drive is transmitted to the shafts 62 and 63 extending on respective sides of the gear reducer. Each shaft may have one or more couplings 59 interposed therein and it will be observed that shaft 62 extends through the wall 18 and has the pinion 64 secured thereto. The end of the shaft is joumaled in wall 14 by the bearing 65. The shaft 63 extends through wall 20 and the pinion 66 is secured thereto with the bearing 67 journaling the end of the shaft in wall 15.

The drive from the pinions 6 and 66 continues to the gears 68 and 70 meshing therewith. On the same shafts to which the gears are fixed there is a drive pinion 71 and 72 respectively, which mesh with and drive the segment gears 31 and 33. Stud shaft 73 for the gear-and-pinion 68-7ll is journaled at one end by the bearing 74 and in partition wall 16, and at its other end by the bearing 75 in wall 14. For the gear-and-pinion 70-72 its stud shaft 76 is joumaled by hearing 77 in partition wall 17 and in wall 15 by bearing 78. The operation of the electric motor 58 will thus drive through the reducer 61 to the shafts 62 and 63 and which will rotate at the same speed and in the same direction. The drive from the shafts is transmitted to the gear-and-pinion units 68-71 and 70-72 and thus the gear segments 31 and 33 are rotated to rotatively position the drum support. The gear segments are approximately l80 in extent and the clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the end members 23 and and thus the drum support does not exceed this figure. In FIG. 6 the rolls 27 and 28 are positioned for a threading of the stock material 80 between the rolls. In the rotative position of FIG. 7, the stock material is flexed at an angle of approximately 80 and in FIG. 8 the maximum flexing is accomplished by the position of the rolls 2'7 and 28 as shown. The position of the bending and flexing rolls as shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 is indicated to the operator since an indication of the rolls is painted or otherwise pictured on the outside surface 81 of the dished plate 82 which is fixed at 83 to the end member 25 and rotates with the said member.

The drive to the rolls 27 and 28 for rotating the rolls simultaneously and to a like extent is effected by the electric motor 85 and the drive from the motor enters on the rotational center of the drum support. For this purpose the end member 24 is provided with a cover part 86 FIG. 1, which has interf'ltting relation with the end member and is fixedly secured thereto by the screws 87. The end member 24 and the cover 86 thus form an annular boxlike unit which houses the drive gears for rotating the rolls. The cover in turn has secured thereto the bearing 88 by the screws 89. This bearing is on the axis of rotation of the cover-end member unit and it will be seen that the cover fits within an opening in the wall M and rotates with respect thereto just as the end member 24 fits within an opening in wall 16 and rotates with respect to said wall. The stud shaft 90 is joumaled in the bearing 88 and the outside extending end of the shaft has the gearwheel 91 fixed thereto at 92. The shaft 93 of the motor 85 has a pinion gear 94 fixed thereto and the flexible belt 95 operatively connects the drive motor 85 with the stud shaft 90.

The inside end of the stud shaft 90 carries the pinion 96 and said pinion meshes with the gear 97 located within and journaled by the annular unit formed by end member 24 and the cover 86. The shaft 98 carrying the gear 97 has also fixed thereto the pinion 100. This gear-and-pinion combination is also shown in FIG. 2 wherein it will be observed that the pinion 100 meshes with and drives the gear ll0ll on the end of the shaft of the bending and flexing roll 28 adjacent the bearing 36. The said gear 101 meshes with and drives a similar gear 102 fixed to the end of the shaft of roll 27 and adjacent the bearing 35. The drive to the roll 28 from the pinion 100 is in turn applied to the roll 27 and thus the two rolls will rotate together and to a like extent at the same speed.

For initially threading the stock material through the apparatus of the invention, the rolls are positioned as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 with the lower roll 27 being located below the horizontal centerline and slightly to the left. The top roll 28 is located above the horizontal center line and slightly to the right. The threading of the stock material between the rolls is facilitated by the forward deflector plate 103 which is pivoted to the frame structure at 104. As evident from FIG. 2, the truss frame 38 is instrumental in maintaining the forward deflector plate 103 in a horizontal position. The rear deflector plate 105 is likewise pivotally supported by the frame structure at 106. Here also the deflector plate is maintained substantially horizontal by the truss frame 38 when said truss frame is in contact therewith. However as shown in FIG. 2 the frame is not in contact with said deflector plate 105 so the plate depends downwardly within the drum support. The stock material is now being supplied at the right and is being removed at the left. The motors 58 and 85 can now be started and the drum will be rotated in a clockwise direction FIGS. 2, 6 and 7 and likewise the rolls 27 and 28 will be rotated. If a bending and flexing of approximately 80 is desired the motor 58 can be stopped at a position as shown in FIG. 7 and as the stock material moves through the apparatus, a bending of the material to this extent will take place. Additional rotational movement of the drum support will produce a bending of approximately as shown in FIG. 3. This is a maximum for the apparatus since the stop 107 FIG. 2, will contact the limit switch 108 and stop the motor 58. On the reverse counterclockwise rotation of the drum support, the stop 109 will contact the limit switch 108 and the parts will thus be returned to their position as shown in FIG. 6.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material, the combination with frame structure, of a drum support including a pair of spaced end members mounted for rotation in the frame structure, truss frames also forming part of the drum support and connecting the spaced end members to form a unitary structure therewith, a pair of bending and flexing rolls extending from one end member to the other and being journaled for rotation at their respective ends by the said end members, said bending and flexing rolls being disposed on the respective sides of the rotational axis of the drum support, drive means operatively connecting with the said end members for effecting clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the members and thus similar rotation of the drum support, and other drive means disposed on the rotational axis of the drum support for effecting rotation of the bending and flexing rolls.

2. ln apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 1, wherein one truss frame carries backing-up rolls having contact with one of the bending and flexing rolls, and wherein another truss frame carries similar backing-up rolls and which contact the other bending and flexing roll.

llllllii 3. in apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 1, additionally including a segment gear fixed to each end member, and wherein said drive means to the end members includes a gear drive to each gear segment.

4. ln apparatus for bending and flexing stock material as defined by claim 3, wherein a worm gear is included in the gear drive to the gear segments, said worm gear effectively holding and locking the drum support in its adjusted rotative positions and thereby resisting the forces to which the bending and flexing rolls are subjected during operation.

5. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material, the combination with frame structure including spaced side partition walls, of a drum support comprising a pair of spaced end members and a pair of truss frames extending from one end member to the other and rigidly connecting the end members to form a unitary structure therewith, said end members being mounted for rotation in the spaced partition walls respectively, a pair of bending and flexing rolls extending from one end member to the other and being journaled for rotation at their respective ends by the said end members, said bending and flexing rolls being disposed on respective sides of the rotational axis of the drum support and in approximately diametri' cally opposed relation, drive means operatively connecting with the end members for effecting cloclrwise and counterclockwise rotation of the end members and thus similar rotation of the drum support, and other drive means disposed on the rotational axis of the drum support for effecting rotation of the bending and flexing rolls.

ii. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 5, wherein one truss frame carries backing-up rolls having contact with one of the bending and flexing rolls, and wherein the other truss frame carries similar backing-up rolls and which contact the other bending and flexing roll.

'7. in apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 5, additionally including a segment gear fixed to each end member, and wherein said drive means to the end members includes a gear drive to each gear segment.

d. in apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 5, additionally including a cover plate secured to one end member and which forms an annular boxlilre unit with the cover plate, wherein the cover plate provides a bearing for the other drive means disposed on the rotational axis of the drum support, and additionally including certain gear-and-pinion elements journaled by the annular boxliite unit and located within the same for transmitting the drive from the other drive means to the said bending and flexing rolls, whereby said rolls are rotated simultaneously and at the same speed.

in apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim d, wherein the said annular boxlilre unit contains a lubricant for lubricating the said other drive means and including the certain gear-andpinion elements.

illll. in apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 5, additionally including a forward and a rear deflector plate each being pivotally mounted on the frame structure, a limit switch fixed to the frame structure and disposed between the said deflector plates, and stop members carried by the drum support and adapted to coact with the limit switch. 

1. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material, the combination with frame structure, of a drum support including a pair of spaced end members mounted for rotation in the frame structure, truss frames also forming part of the drum support and connecting the spaced end members to form a unitary structure therewith, a pair of bending and flexing rolls extending from one end member to the other and being journaled for rotation at their respective ends by the said end members, said bending and flexing rolls being disposed on the respective sides of the rotational axis of the drum support, drive means operatively connecting with the said end members for effecting clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the members and thus similar rotation of the drum support, and other drive means disposed on the rotational axis of the drum support for effecting rotation of the bending and flexing rolls.
 2. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 1, wherein one truss frame carries backing-up rolls having contact with one of the bending and flexing rolls, and wherein another truss frame carries similar backing-up rolls and which contact the other bending and flexing roll.
 3. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 1, additionally including a segment gear fixed to each end member, and wherein said drive means to the end members includes a gear drive to each gear segment.
 4. In apparatus for bending and flexing stock material as defined by claim 3, wherein a worm gear is included in the gear drive to the gear segments, said worm gear effectively holding and locking the drum support in its adjusted rotative positions and thereby resisting the forces to which the bending and flexing rolls are subjected during operation.
 5. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material, the combination with frame structure including spaced side partition walls, of a drum support comprising a pair of spaced end members and a pair of truss frames extending from one end member to the other and rigidly connecting the end members to form a unitary structure therewith, said end members being mounted for rotation in the spaced partition walls respectively, a pair of bending and flexing rolls extending from one end member to the other and being journaled for rotation at their respective ends by the said end members, said bending and flexing rolls being disposed on respective sides of the rotational axis of the drum support and in approximately diametrically opposed relation, drive means operatively connecting with the end members for effecting clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the end members and thus similar rotation of the drum support, and other drive means disposed on the rotational axis of the drum support for effecting rotation of the bending and flexing rolls.
 6. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 5, wherein one truss frame carries backing-up rolls having contact with one of the bending and flexing rolls, and wherein the other truss frame carries similar backing-up rolls and which conTact the other bending and flexing roll.
 7. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 5, additionally including a segment gear fixed to each end member, and wherein said drive means to the end members includes a gear drive to each gear segment.
 8. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 5, additionally including a cover plate secured to one end member and which forms an annular boxlike unit with the cover plate, wherein the cover plate provides a bearing for the other drive means disposed on the rotational axis of the drum support, and additionally including certain gear-and-pinion elements journaled by the annular boxlike unit and located within the same for transmitting the drive from the other drive means to the said bending and flexing rolls, whereby said rolls are rotated simultaneously and at the same speed.
 9. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 8, wherein the said annular boxlike unit contains a lubricant for lubricating the said other drive means and including the certain gear-and-pinion elements.
 10. In apparatus for bending and flexing metal stock material as defined by claim 5, additionally including a forward and a rear deflector plate each being pivotally mounted on the frame structure, a limit switch fixed to the frame structure and disposed between the said deflector plates, and stop members carried by the drum support and adapted to coact with the limit switch. 